Gary Thompson (Thompson Oil) is rolling in the dough these days - even more than before, and all at our expense. Since fuel prices dropped in Ames to $3.64 a couple of weeks ago (at least), the cost of oil has dropped by about $12 per barrel ($76 as of today). So, you'd think fuel prices would follow, right? Nope! Gas here hasn't dropped one cent since oil prices have tumbled. I haven't been to Polk County for a while now, but I'm guessing it's at LEAST $.65 less there than it is in Ames. All thanks to Gary Thompson who controls the distribution around Ames. This is price gouging. I've tried alerting the local news stations in the past to expose this guy for what he is. But, to my knowledge, no one has ever said a word or done any investigating on WHY he insists on soaking the people of Story County for his fuel. It pisses me off.
Why are gas prices so high in Ames?
- Thread starter Cycsk
- Start date
I've lived in Ames forever and have heard many stories about him and unfortunately greed is always in the conversation. Not my favorite.
Yea, price was pretty much the same from Ames to the MN border last Friday. I was surprised because usually Clear Lake is a little cheaper, but it was $3.59 I think. Not sure why prices have stagnated or even ticked up when oil has continued to go lower. Maybe the refinery fire in Ohio?
This is my question too. Why are prices at stations owned by these massive companies controlled by a local distributor? Couldn't they just send their own tankers up to Ames?
I would guess they all get their fuel at the same terminal. Unless your an Exon, Shell, ConocoPhillips station, all others buy from those refiners I just mentioned.
So there is only one terminal that can be used by Ames stations? Seems like an opportunity for someone to step in and take a lot of business.
For $10 I can get you some hose and several 5 gallon buckets. You can figure out the rest.
According to this there are 2 fuel terminals in Des Moines, 1 in Pleasant Hill and only 21 in Iowa.
Not sure why the IRS has a page for this LOL
I think Thompson is a distributor, like Diamond Oil in Des Moines. Usually Distributors distribute certain brands. For example Diamond Oil is mainly Sunoco products (I buy barrels of racing fuel from them) and I thought Thompson was associated with Phillips 66.
I could do a very inappropriate and politically incorrect joke here but I will refrain.
I was assuming it was refineries switching over to the winter mix that caused the 30 cent or so price increase. Haven’t seen anyone report that, but the timing seems about right.
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